Set in the intensely feudal society of 1960s Ethiopia, Aster is the story of a young rural girl who came to the capital city of Ethiopia for medical treatment and was later forced into marriage by her doctor, who abused her in the course of the medical treatment. After having beaten their children, Aster's husband drives off into the night to enjoy himself. Lost and hopeless, Aster confides in a sympathetic friend who has come to dinner.